A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Sibenik for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Sibenik?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Sibenik? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Sibenik?

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.

Sibenik

Sibenik is a city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. It's known as a gateway to the Kornati Islands. The 15th-century stone Cathedral of St. James is decorated with 71 sculpted faces. Nearby, the Sibenik City Museum, in the 14th-century Prince's Palace, has exhibits ranging from prehistory to the present. The white stone St. Michael's Fortress has an open-air theater, with views of Sibenik Bay and neighboring islands. The city's magnificent medieval heart, gleaming white against the placid waters of the bay is enough to excite any traveler, and you won't be disappointed with your trip here. The stone labyrinth of steep backstreets and alleys are a joy to explore. Sibenik is also an important access point for Krka National Park and the Kornati Islands.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Sibenik, we can see that Sibenik is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Sibenik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sibenik than you might in Saint Petersburg.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Sibenik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Sibenik?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Sibenik. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Sibenik, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Sibenik?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Sibenik in the Summer?

Both Sibenik and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sibenik because of the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Sibenik. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Sibenik fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Sibenik. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Sibenik during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Sibenik receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Sibenik. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Sibenik in the Autumn?

Both Sibenik and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sibenik this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Sibenik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Sibenik fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Sibenik, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Sibenik. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sibenik receives 200 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Sibenik. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Sibenik in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Sibenik. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sibenik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Sibenik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Sibenik averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Sibenik during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Sibenik receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Sibenik. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Sibenik in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Sibenik. Additionally, many visitors come to Sibenik in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Sibenik. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Sibenik fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sibenik. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Sibenik. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sibenik receives 212 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Sibenik. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Sibenik receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sibenik and Saint Petersburg